Shelby council approves budget

By Molly Phipps

Published: Monday, June 17, 2013 at 08:46 PM.

What did residents say?

-- Jay Gragg, president of the Uptown Shelby Association, commented on the proposed cuts to the association.

“A $35,000 cut severely affects our ability to hire a qualified person for this (director) position. We have to have a leader and that leader needs to be paid a competitive salary. A cut of this size cripples us from moving forward.”

-- Ted Alexander, former mayor, also spoke about the association.

“Over the past 30 years, the Uptown Shelby Association has worked with the city and done a tremendous job in making our uptown area one of the best in North Carolina.”

SHELBY – City leaders approved a budget Monday night that includes no property tax changes, a small hike in customer garbage collection fees and a smaller-than-proposed cut to Uptown Shelby Association funding.

Shelby City Council voted 4-2 to approve the 2013-14 budget after four residents spoke during a public hearing on the spending plan. Those four people touted the importance of the uptown association and spoke against a proposed $35,000 cut they said would hurt the organization as it seeks a new director.

The council-approved budget will only cut $10,000 from the uptown association’s budget.

The spending plan increases the average garbage collection charge 58 cents per month per customer to cover an increase in tipping fees set by the county.

Shelby leaders have considered a handful of spending plans in recent weeks, molding parts of different plans into the final approved budget. Cuts to multiple city services – including several parks programs – were parts of original proposals. Those changes were ultimately removed from consideration.

What did city leaders say?

-- “This has been a tough budget for everybody. I was elected to represent the people, but I was also elected to represent the city of Shelby,” said Councilman David White. White quoted Oliver Wendell Holmes:

“I like to pay taxes; with them I buy civilization.” White said. “My question is, if we don’t pay taxes, do we become uncivilized? I mean, everybody wants to save money, but we’ve got to pay taxes to survive.”

-- “My main thought is having to adjust and adapt to where we are, not just today, but future generations, future councils. We are very fortunate to have these reserves. If you don’t have a solid healthy background, your future is not going to be as bright as it could be,” said Councilman Chris Mabry.

-- “I am still uncomfortable with this budget after studying it over the last few weeks. A bad decision made with good intentions is still a bad decision. And I believe that the future of our city will be hindered by the decision today. I would be excited to spend some of the funds on capital improvements. To spend the funds on day-to-day expenses is where my principles say we can’t do that,” said Councilman Dicky Amaya.

What did residents say?

-- Jay Gragg, president of the Uptown Shelby Association, commented on the proposed cuts to the association.

“A $35,000 cut severely affects our ability to hire a qualified person for this (director) position. We have to have a leader and that leader needs to be paid a competitive salary. A cut of this size cripples us from moving forward.”

-- Ted Alexander, former mayor, also spoke about the association.

“Over the past 30 years, the Uptown Shelby Association has worked with the city and done a tremendous job in making our uptown area one of the best in North Carolina.”

Alexander said he hoped the council would reconsider the cuts to the association.

-- Hill Hudson, one of the original founders of the association, said the agency has come to depend on funds from the city.

“We are at a crossroads at this point in terms of staffing. I ask you to please reconsider.”

-- Richard Hooker Jr., a member of the association’s board of directors, echoed those comments.

“I just wanted to offer my concerns as well as my effort to articulate the need to stay competitive with a person who will provide leadership that will continue to help Shelby move forward.”

What’s in the final budget?

-- Property tax remains unchanged

-- An increase in garbage collection charges of 58 cents per month per customer, to offset county tipping fee increase.

-- A one-time employee performance pay bonus for city employees.

-- A $10,000 reduction in funding to the Uptown Shelby Association.

-- Increases in parks and recreation fees, with outside-city charges increasing more than in-city charges

-- A 50 percent reduction to the housing code program for demolition of dilapidated homes.

-- An increase of $23,000 to the police department for lease of office space and other costs.

Source: City of Shelby

Reach Molly Phipps at 704-669-3339, at mphipps@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MollyAPhipps.